Democratic Voice of Burma

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• BUSINESS WEEKLY: January 25
• No national ceasefire without support from Burmans
• UWSA in solidarity with Lawkheela
• Suu Kyi Shan trip rerouted
• Bauk Ja slams ‘bogus charges’ of Kachin court
• DVB Debate: State vs Religion
• UN calls for govt investigation into alleged Maungdaw murders

BUSINESS WEEKLY: January 25 Posted: 24 Jan 2014 04:12 AM PST   Ups and downs Burmese kyat remained much the same this week, with US$1 buying 982 and selling 988 kyat. Gold is up at 662,000 kyat per tical (a 4,200 kyat rise from last week). Petrol is at 820 kyat, diesel 950 kyat and octane 920 kyat per litre (no changes since last week). High quality Pawsanhmwe rice sells for 1,200-1,300 kyat and low quality Emata at 850-900 kyat per basket. Watermelon exports to China are strong at Muse's 105 border checkpoint, price standing between 3,500-5,500 Yun per a ton. South Korea looks to Burma’s fields for food security Burma has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to improve agricultural ties and expertise exchange, Korea's Yonhap News reported on Sunday. The agreement reportedly aims to enrich South Korea's food security program and increase export of farming equipment for use in Burma's developing agricultural sector. RC Cola to set up plant in Burma The exclusive manufacturer and distributor of RC Cola in the Philippines says it plans to install plants in Burma and Thailand, the Philippine Star newspaper reported on 19 January, adding that construction may start this year. RC Cola joins soft drinks giants Pepsico and Coca-Cola in a market which has until recently been saturated only with domestic drinks firms. Thai media firm to launch English daily in Burma Thailand's Nation Multimedia Group announced last week that it will launch an English-language daily newspaper in Burma in a joint venture with leading local publisher Eleven News Group. The new publication will be called Myanmar Eleven and will hit newsstands by mid-February, the Thai firm said. UK software firm to provide logistics for Burmese census British technology company DRS Data Services is to aid Burma in its first census for 30 years by providing design, printing and distribution services involving some 16 million specially formulated questionnaires. The census is due to be completed in April in the country which has an estimated population of some 60 million. DRS census specialist Ann Stewart-Baker said that paper was a more appropriate medium for a census in developing countries due to a lack of electricity and internet connectivity. Mandalay to offer int'l flights to Thailand, Singapore Burmese airline Asian Wings and Singaporean Silk Air will soon offer international flights to and from central Burma's Mandalay City. Asian Wings sales department manager Myint Win Han said flights between Mandalay and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand will begin on 29 January, once weekly on Wednesdays. Tickets will be sold at US$346 round trip. Singapore-based Silk Air will offer flights between Mandalay and Singapore – three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – as of 10 June 2014, with ticket prices yet to be determined. Indian hydro projects stalled An Indian governmental official said that the Tamanthi and Shwezaye hydro-electric projects have been suspended following a review of Detailed Project Reports, Indian business site Financial Express reported on Wednesday. According to the report, high tariffs and social and environmental impacts have rendered the projects unviable. Thilawa pledges shares for rural public The Myanmar Thilawa Special Economic Zone Holding Public Company Limited  (MTSH) has pledged to make shares in the Thilawa SEZ Project more accessible to the rural public. MTSH chairman Win Aung said on Wednesday that the company plans to link up with domestic banks to increase market access. MTSH holds 51 percent of shares – 41 percent public sector and 10 percent government – in the Thilawa SEZ Project in joint-venture with Japan. Public shares will trade at 10,000 kyat per share. Skynet to air Champion's League, FIFA Satellite television operator Skynet will broadcast Champions League and Europa League football through the 2017-18 seasons, according to Ye Min Oo, general manager of Skynet's MNTV channel. The channel also won a contract last year to air all FIFA matches — plus the Premier League — starting from the 2013-14 season, as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The deal led to a sharp spike in the station's viewership. Related Stories IMF predicts growth, warns of inflation in Burma Thai protests hurting Burmese tourism Rohingya call on govt for inclusion in 2014 census

No national ceasefire without support from Burmans Posted: 24 Jan 2014 03:34 AM PST The Ethnic Armed Organisations Conference in Karen National Union's headquarters Law Khee La has concluded. Eighteen ethnic armed groups discussed and agreed a draft framework for a nationwide ceasefire. Gen. Gun Maw Sumlat from the Kachin Independence Army pointed out the importance of this positive approach. "Reaching a nationwide ceasefire agreement will be the first step towards the political dialogue that is longed for by all parties, and we are working to ensure a positive and firm start with that dialogue," he said. Lt-Gen. N'Ban from the Kachin Independence Organisation emphasized how reforming Burma into a federal union will be impossible without support from the Burman people who are the majority in the country. Related Stories Ethnic armed groups discuss ceasefire in Karen state Hpa-an peace talks postponed until February Red Shan presumed still in KIA camps "In order to realise our ambition we need to work harder to bring unity," he said. "To fulfil our dream for a genuine federal union based on national spirit, we need support from the Burman people. Without their agreement, the federal union will never be formed." On the fourth day of the conference – 23 January – the groups reached a mutual agreement on the framework for a ceasefire, which they said would be given some final touches the following day. The fruits of the ethnic conference will now be taken to negotiations with a Burmese government delegation – a meeting which has twice been postponed – but which is now scheduled to take place in Karen state capital Hpa-an in February.

UWSA in solidarity with Lawkheela Posted: 24 Jan 2014 02:45 AM PST Representatives of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), absent from the Ethnic Armed Organisations Conference in Karen State this week because of "language barriers", have expressed solidarity with other ethnic leaders as they develop a framework for a nationwide ceasefire agreement. "The Karen National Union [KNU] personally invited us to attend the meeting," said Aung Myint, spokesperson for the UWSA, "but we didn't get hold of their draft [ceasefire] framework early enough. There is a language barrier for our leaders." Aung Myint explained that Kwe Htoo Win, general-secretary of the KNU, presented the draft to UWSA leaders, but there was not enough time to translate and discuss before the conference that took place in KNU headquarters Lawkheela [Lay Wah] this week. He said that UWSA representatives also abstained from an initial conference of ethnic armed groups held at the Kachin Independence Organisation headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State, last November, but agreed to most of its outcomes, the sole exception being an agreed-upon total rewrite of the 2008 Constitution, which they would rather see partially amended. "We have a different opinion on Constitutional reform," said Aung Myint, "we prefer to see it amended where necessary but don't see completely rewriting it as a good idea for everyone." Related Stories Ethnic armed groups discuss ceasefire in Karen state Suu Kyi rallies Karen State, says charter hinders peace process US spending bill adds 'new restrictions' on Burma He said the group will wait to hear outcomes of the Lawkheela Conference, which will be discussed by its leadership before taking an official stance. The UWSA, the largest and most heavily armed ethnic militia in Burma, was formed after the collapse of the Burma Communist Party in 1989. The group has twice signed ceasefire agreements with the government; first in 1989 and later with Thein Sein's reformist government in 2011. The Lawkheela Conference took place from 20-23 January 2014 between leaders of Burma's ethnic armed organisations as a precursor to negotiations with the Burmese government scheduled for February in Hpa-an, Karen State. The upcoming conference will bring ethnic leaders together with a government peace-making team to discuss the framework of a nationwide ceasefire agreement and the possibility of an eventual political settlement for Burma's ethnic groups, which have long been at odds with the central government.

Suu Kyi Shan trip rerouted Posted: 24 Jan 2014 12:49 AM PST National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, en route to Shan State for a three-day tour, was not granted permission to land at the military airbase in Nansang on Thursday and instead had to reroute to Heho about 150 km from her original destination, according to her trip planner, Ye Hlaing, who is the party's local district coordinator. Ye Hlaing said that landing permission was requested from the Burmese military and Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing to allow Suu Kyi's charter flight to arrive at the Nansang military airbase before she delivers a public address in the town on Saturday morning. "We even reached out to the defence commander-in-chief, but they haven't responded to us as of today," Ye Hlaing told DVB on Thursday. Nansang Airport, once operating as a civilian airport, was later commandeered by the military. Suu Kyi will arrive in Heho on Friday afternoon before heading to Nansang by land. She is scheduled to spend the night in Nansang, then head south to Mongnai and then Langkho after her public address. Ye Hlaing said that this is not an isolated incident; Suu Kyi also cancelled plans to meet with a local militia group from Homein while in Mongnai, after they were pressured by the Regional Military Command. "The militia initially expressed a wish for the meeting, but the group's officials told us they were pressured to call it off by the Regional Military Command," said Ye Hlaing. Suu Kyi is set to spend three days in Shan State, where she will hold a series of public rallies to explain the position of her party, the National League for Democracy, regarding Constitutional reform. The opposition leader and a party delegation have spent recent weeks on a whirlwind tour of country meeting with supporters in several of Burma's ethnic states, including Chin and Karen States. Related Stories Suu Kyi rallies Karen State, says charter hinders peace process US spending bill adds 'new restrictions' on Burma HIV positive cyclist on awareness tour

Bauk Ja slams ‘bogus charges’ of Kachin court Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:10 PM PST Activist Bauk Ja [also known as Bawk Ja or Bauk Gyar], standing trial in northern Burma's Kachin State, has accused Burmese government authorities of trying her on bogus charges. The National Democratic Force member has been standing trial in the town of Hpakant after being arrested last July on charges that include "providing medical treatment without a license", "unauthorised use of a syringe", and negligent homicide for allegedly causing the death of her ailing neighbour Zaw Ja in 2009 by treating him. The Hpakant Township Court on 16 January dropped the negligent homicide charge against her after the prosecution was unable to gather sufficient witness accounts. The activist still awaits the verdicts on two lesser charges which are expected to be handed down on Friday. Bauk Ja, speaking to DVB by telephone on Thursday morning, said she only went to see Zaw Ja to bestow last rites – the majority of Kachins are devout Christians – but was slapped with "bogus charges" by authorities who "begrudged her for helping local farmers fighting against land grabs. Related Stories 'Not finished yet'- political prisoner committee to continue 'Third Force' political parties form alliance Land grab activist vows to go on hunger strike She said local authorities have also targeted her for legally challenging the 2010 election victory of her political rival Ohn Myint of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, a former army general who is now a government minister. "The charges against me were deliberately framed because I sued former general Ohn Myint for vote-rigging in the elections – as a former military commander in the region, he has influence over local authorities," said Bauk Ja. Aung Htoo, lawyer and founder of non-profit group Legal Aid Network, said it would be unfeasible for the court to find her guilty of "unlicensed medical treatment" as none of the witnesses' statements in the trial supported the accusation. He also suggested that Bauk Ja has grounds for countersuing the police under the Burmese penal code for making a false document when accusing her of unauthorised use of a syringe. Bauk Ja has been in detention without bail since her arrest in July.

DVB Debate: State vs Religion Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:58 PM PST In a conservative Buddhist society like Burma, religion is at the centre of life for much of the population. Burma is a multi-religious country and there is no official state religion, but almost 90% of the population practice Thervada Buddhism. Today Buddhism is still used to promote the country and some believe adherence to Buddhism is a prerequisite for senior positions in the government and military. The second season of DVB Debate begins with a lively discussion about whether there should be more separation between religion and the state.  On the panel: writer Ye Naing Moe, politician Yan Kyaw and U Sein Win Aung, Treasurer of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Panelists warn against the effects of supporting only Buddhism in state affairs. "We live in a Unionised country and there are many different religions. But if we focus on the religion of the majority as the primary religion then those who follow the minority religions will  automatically feel like 2nd-class citizens” says Ye Naing Moe, Director of Yangon Journalism School. The Peace Circle Network’s Yan Kyaw agrees, objecting to the way the Ministry of Religion deals with Burma’s multi-religious society:”In our country we have Muslims, Hindus and Christians, even people who believe in angels,  but if you look at the ministry of religion closely they give the impression they are the Ministry of Buddhist religion”. The last two years have seen religious clashes break out across the country, and the violence has been linked with Buddhist nationalism. However, Sein Win Aung argues the ministry of religion is needed to maintain control.”The Constitution says there is freedom of religion and we should not suppress other religions.  But because of the way the community has developed we cannot differentiate religion from politics,” he said. Ye Naing Moe says he doesn’t think religion should have anything to do with citizenship and he objects to the practice of having to declare religious beliefs in situations where it is not relevant. “In this community when you apply for membership anywhere, even on your national id card, you have to tell them what religion you believe in, what god you pray to!  This doesn't exist in developed countries” he protested.  He warns that religion has become a tool of propaganda, insisting personal beliefs, should not be brought into the political arena. But Ye Kyaw thinks separating them will not be easy, and tells the audience he is sure that politicians will use religion to gain votes in the 2015 election.Influential Monks have played a significant role in Burma's political history, acting as advisors to the country's rulers, leading mass protests and even playing a part in the country's struggle for independence. In Burma many people rely on monastic schools for education and social care where the government cannot provide it.The studio at least agreed that whatever the benefits or problems it may cause, separating religion from affairs of the state in a country like Burma would not be an easy task. Next week on DVB Debate – How can Burma's poorest break the cycle of poverty? You can join the debate and watch the full programme in Burmese at dvbdebate.com Or share your views with us by commenting on our website at dvb.no

UN calls for govt investigation into alleged Maungdaw murders Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:23 PM PST At least 48 Muslims were killed when Buddhist mobs attacked a village in an isolated corner of western Burma earlier this month, the United Nations said Thursday, calling on the government to carry out a swift, impartial investigation and to hold those responsible accountable. Presidential spokesman Ye Htut, who has vehemently denied reports of a massacre, said he “strongly objects” to the UN claims. The facts and figures, he said, are “totally wrong.” Burma, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million people, has been grappling with sectarian violence since June 2012. The incident in Du Char Yar Tan, a village in northern Arakan State, appears to be the deadliest in a year, and would bring the total number killed nationwide to more than 280, most of them Muslims. Another 250,000 people have fled their homes. Northern Arakan—home to 80 percent of the country’s 1 million long-persecuted Muslim Rohingya population—runs along the Bay of Bengal and is cut off from the rest of the country by a mountain range. It is off-limits to foreign journalists and humanitarian aid workers have limited access, adding to the difficulties of confirming details about the violence, which flared more than a week ago. But evidence of a massacre, first reported by The Associated Press, has been steadily mounting. Related Stories Pressure needed to improve human rights: HRW MOI says reporters reprimanded, reporters say otherwise Embassy bomb-plot mastermind sentenced to seven and a half years The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said she had received credible information that eight Rohingya Muslim men were attacked and killed in Du Chee Yar Tan village by local Rakhine [Arakanese Buddhists] on 9 January. This was followed by a clash on 13 January in the same village, following the reported kidnapping and killing of a police sergeant by Rohingya residents, according to witnesses and rights groups. That triggered a security crackdown. Most Rohingya men and boys—who typically flee when soldiers and police are thought to be approaching, because it is they who usually bear the brunt of abuses—fled the village in fear, leaving behind mostly women and children. Police did nothing to stop a revenge-seeking Buddhist mob that entered later that night with knives, sticks and swords, witnesses and rights groups said. Pillay said the UN believes at least 40 Rohingya Muslim men, women and children were killed, bringing the total to at least 48. “I deplore the loss of life in Du Chee Yar Tan and call on the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation and ensure that victims and their families receive justice,” she said. “By responding to these incidents quickly and decisively, the government has an opportunity to show transparency and accountability, which will strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar.” The village has been emptied and sealed off since the massacre. Matthew Smith, executive director of the Thailand-based rights group, Fortify Rights, called on the government to give humanitarian workers, independent observers and journalists unfettered access to the area. He said hundreds are still in hiding and may need help. He also called for an end to mass arrests, saying in the hours that followed the killings, riot police started rounding up all male Rohingya, including children over the age of 10, in surrounding areas. “These arbitrary detentions broaden the scope of the human rights violations in the area and should be immediately brought to an end,” Smith said. “There needs to be accountability for this wave of horrific violence … but mass arrests of Muslim men and boys are not the way.” The Burmese government has repeatedly denied that any violence took place in the area, apart from the death of the police sergeant and an alleged attack by Rohingya Muslims on police. Statements have appeared almost daily in the state-run media and government websites. A statement published on the Ministry of Information website on Thursday said Chief Minister of Rakhine state Hla Maung Tin visited the area on Wednesday and told people about “false news published and aired by foreign media that children and women were killed in the violence.” Officials with the U.N. accompanied the government delegation, but did not comment on that trip. There are around 1 million Rohingya in Myanmar. The United Nations has called them one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. Some of the Rohingya are descended from families that have been there for generations. Others arrived more recently from neighboring Bangladesh. All have been denied citizenship, rendering them stateless. For decades, they have been unable to travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors. They need special approval to marry and are the only people in the country barred from having more than two children.

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